So it is that time of the year, and your vehicle’s warrant of fitness is due! You start dreading sitting in your vehicle in the queue at the testing station for your car to get its WOF inspection done. It could sometimes take a couple of hours from the time you arrive until you can get on with your life. In the back of your mind, you are also a little worried. What if your car fails its warrant due to a non-working bulb or a damaged tyre? Then you must go and get the item repaired and come back to wait again!
Vorsprung Automobil have put together a small checklist for you to prepare your vehicle and to hopefully avoid going back for a recheck after some minor repair that caused warranty failure. Don’t be worried, you won’t have to crawl under your car or risk getting oil on your new All Birds shoes, it is just a couple of simple “pre checks”!
Let’s start by sitting in your vehicle behind the steering wheel. It will be best to have your engine running at idling speed to avoid draining the battery:
Lights and instruments
- Ask another person to help you or park in front of a window and look at the reflection. Check your headlight’s dipped beams and high beams, park lights, fog lights (If fitted), indicators, stop lights (most cars will have 3) and reverse lights.
- Check your horn, make sure it is loud and sounds like it always does.
- Activate your front windscreen washers. Check that the spray pattern is consistent and is spraying on the windscreen.
- The wipers should clear the water without leaving smudges or missing patches.
- Check your dashboard or instrument cluster for any written warnings or warning lamps that are illuminated. If you have a red brake, an ABS or an airbag warning, the car will fail its inspection.
You can now switch off the engine after all the lights are off.
Entrances and exits
- Check that your bonnet and boot open and close without any restrictions or having to apply excessive force.
- While in the boot, ensure that it is clear and that the spare wheel is accessible.
- Check that all your doors open from the outside and that the inside door handles are functioning correctly. Do all the doors move freely and without horrible noises?
- Ensure none of the glazing is damaged or restricting your view.
- Ensure the windscreen is free from any large cracks or stone chips.
Outside the vehicle
- Walk around the car and check if any of the headlights, taillights, fog lights and indicator lights have excessive moisture inside or are cracked/damaged in any way.
- Check your tyre sidewalls for any cuts or damage. Check your tread depths by looking at the tread depth indicators.
- Check your tyre pressures at a fuel station. There will typically be a sticker with your vehicle’s recommended tyre pressures in the fuel flap. If one of the pressures is significantly lower than the others, it could mean a puncture with a slow leak.
Seats and seatbelts
- Pull out all the seatbelts and inspect. There should not be any tears, rips or cuts. The seatbelts should also be clean and not mouldy
- Before you arrive, ensure that all the seatbelts and buckles are accessible for WOF inspection.
- To save yourself and the vehicle inspector time, remove child seats and put the back seats in an upright position.
I hope this list will help you check some basic items of the WOF inspection. It sounds like a few items to check, but the check will take you less time than having a failure on a small item and having to go back for a recheck.
If any of the checks did not pass your check or you need any assistance, call Vorsprung Automobil on 09 394 4533 or visit our website at www.vorsprungautomobil.co.nz. We are always happy to help or give any advice.
